Elche CF suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat at home this Saturday, staring up at the bottom of the table. The loss snapped a five-match stretch without defeat or goal conceded, a run that had boosted their move up the standings. The setback leaves Elche sitting in seventh place, just outside the promotion playoff positions, while Amorebieta Franjiverde celebrated a rare win that tightened the race at the top of the table.
four cards
The campaign’s lone relief for Elche was that none of the warned players received an automatic suspension from this match. One yellow card could have ruled a participant out of the crucial fixture next Sunday at 21:00 against Eibar. The match at the Martínez Valero stadium was tightly managed by referee González Díaz from Asturias, who kept discipline in check and did not issue cautions to players from either side.
Mario Gaspar, Bigas and Clerc
Defenders Mario Gaspar, Pedro Bigas, and Carlos Clerc formed the backbone of Elche’s rearguard, tasked with keeping the ball out of their own net. Beccacece, watching the flow of the game, chose caution over risk in an attempt to level the score late on and to prepare for the upcoming clash with Eibar. In the 60th minute, Jose replaced Gaspar on the right wing, with Sergio Carreira moving into the right-back position. Bigas exited in the 88th minute, making way for Salinas. Of the warned players, Bigas was the only one who took part throughout the encounter. The coach now looks to defend against the Basques as usual for the next fixture.
Elche will also be without another important contributor for the Eibar match. Tete Morente sat out the Amorebieta game due to lingering muscle discomfort that hindered normal training all week.
Nico Fernández’s illness
Nico Fernández had to retire around the 60th minute because of physical issues. The Argentine winger is expected to recover in time for the next Sunday’s game, barring any late setbacks.
Sergio Bermejo’s debut
In a notable moment, Sergio Bermejo made his debut replacing Nico Fernández, who is an Ecuadorian international. Seba Méndez waited on the bench; he has not played since the season ended on 26 October and is still building match sharpness after his time with MLS clubs, including Los Angeles FC. If no problems arise during the week, the only loss in the upcoming direct promotion clash may involve Oscar Plano, whose ankle injury rehabilitation continues.
Óscar Plano and contract talks
Óscar Plano will remain with Elche, and the club hopes to reach agreements on renewals with Tete Morente and Clerc. Arnau Puigmal remains a winter signing who is currently sidelined with a hamstring issue from early January. He could join the squad in time for the Eibar match, with the aim of being ready for the following day’s game against Cartagena scheduled for Sunday, February 25 (18:30).